Services

There’s a smarter way to do development

Development is risky and complex. It has a lot of moving parts, each of which affects the others. That’s why we practice the broad view, offering a set of necessarily overlapping services that span the definition, design and realization of your project.

Our model is distinguished by close collaboration among professionals with different areas of expertise. The team we assemble for your project can identify risks, problems, and opportunities that no single architect, engineer, or planner can – well before shovel hits dirt.

Our teams comprise our own specialists in finance, law, construction, permitting, and planning, plus handpicked architects, engineers, and others who have the skills your project demands. So you can work with one company instead of several. Which is more effective, less expensive, and just plain easier.

It’s not the standard way to do development, but it’s the sensible way.

Define

The first step is the step back. In this business, critical questions are too often overlooked in the drive to break ground.

Study needs, set goals

Whether mission or profit is the focus, what exactly are your needs, what can you afford, and how fast do you need it? How do your business requirements translate into a building program? What’s the optimal use of your property? O’Connell Development Group clients have been known to conclude that they need something quite different than they initially thought.

Minimize risks

Risk can be managed. But only if you understand it. Every conceivable risk is identified and precisely calculated by our team of expert analysts. Market studies and exhaustive cost estimates are just the beginning. Some call us obsessed. We prefer “thorough”.

Balance your investment

What is the balance between initial investment and long-term operating requirements? Spending more up front, if you can, may save money in the long term – this is often true with regards to energy efficiency. In addition, O’Connell Development Group can identify tax incentives and utility rebates that may reduce capital investment.

Analyze finance options

What are the best financing options for your project? The best capital structure? We are knowledgeable in all aspects of financing and adept at combining local, state, and national resources. Grants, historic credits, brownfield credits, tax increment financing (TIF)…Their impact on budget or design must be determined early on.

Consider LEED certification

As a result of years of public construction experience, we have LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professionals on staff and can analyze the costs and benefits of seeking LEED certification for your project.

The building

With every facet of your project defined, we then assemble a team– engineers, designers, managers, consultants – equipped to realize your goals. In this preconstruction phase, we are building in detail on paper, so when shovel hits dirt, there’s a very clear path.

The budget

Budget is an integral part of the design phase. We gather the team throughout this phase to explore ideas for cutting costs, incorporating the results into the developing design. It’s a process of balancing aesthetic, budget, and marketing goals, and also operating and up-front costs-in particular of energy-saving and sustainable features.

O’Connell Development Group will get it built for you from start to finish, acting as owner’s representative, contractor, or construction manager. In short, we’ll let you know when it’s time to move in.